More Rocks Fall on Hwy. 64
More rocks came crashing down on Hwy. 64 in Polk County Monday, but this rockslide happened on purpose. Construction crews set off a series of explosive charges this morning to dislodge an outcrop of large boulders that were positioned immediately above the main slide area.
The boulders, ranging in size from 3 feet in diameter up to 15 feet in diameter, were dislodged with the blast and fell harmlessly down the slope to the roadway below.
Construction crews continued assembling the 275-ton crane that will be used for further operations later this week, weather permitting.
The contractors will not work on Thanksgiving Day, but will resume work on Friday.
Motorists traveling to the area from Chattanooga or Cleveland should take I-75 North to Exit 60 (SR-68, Sweetwater) and follow SR-68 South through McMinn County and into Ducktown in Polk County. Those traveling from North Carolina are advised to take US-74 to SR-68 North at Ducktown through McMinn County then onto I-75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County.
